Natouwompitea Initiative

Many people grow up learning a history of wampum in school that describes it as the "first currency of the English colonies". The part that often gets left out is the Indigenous People's understanding of the spiritual connection to it.

The Indigenous communities of Long Island were once known as some of the best creators of wampum, which comes from the quahog clam shell. Though the word wampum only truly describes the white part of the shell, itnis now used as a descriptor for anything made of the quahog shell. The part that is purple, the rarer more valuable part is called suckauasmeesaquash. Sacred beads were also made from the whelk shell called Metauock, sharing the name of the collective communities of Long Island, and this organization namesake.

The people of Long Island were so well known for their shell carving ability, one of the names of Long Island is Sewanacky, wich has been thought to translate to, Sewan - loose beads, Ohke - Land. Or 'Land Of Loose Beads", referring to the wampum beads that were used as far west as Minnesota, North into Canada and South into the Carolinas to create wampum belts.

These belts, each designed with intricate patterns and figures, were not just fashionable items. They were used to record important events, agreements, treaties, titles. Certain designated people would carry these belts and have the ability to read them and remind the people if their specific importance. Each belt had a spirit and a name.

As colonization grew, the colonists appropriated these beads into currency while also beginning outlaw cultural practices. Many of these belts were dismantled for cash value or hidden by Indigenous families. Some were stolen and remain in museums and collections today. During colonial days the purple was worth twice as much as the white part.

Both Tecumseh Ceaser and Shane Weeks, Co-Founders and Directors of M.I.C., have been making wampum for a combined 32 years. Though many people amongst Indigenous communities of New England continue to make wampum, the practice of ceremonial belt making is few and far in-between. Today it is mostly seen in art or jewelry.

This is largely do to the ammount of effort and machinery it takes to create a single bead and also, the cost of buying beads made by indigenous people.

Shane began making beads for Unkechaug owned Wampum Magic in 2010 after beginning wampum in 2006. Tecumseh began carving wampum in 2012. They have both seen the importance of bringing ceremonial wampum belts back into the community.

This initiative is intended to provide the materials needed to create ceremonial wampum belts as well as be able to compensate the time it takes to make them. One wampum belt can cost thousands of dollars today and can take many hours to complete.

Supporting this initiative not only sustains an ancient tradition and supports Indigenous artisans, but also revitalizes and broadens the understanding of wampum in both the Indigenous and non-indigenous communities.